2019 Mount Union Purple Raiders: 5 things to watch this season

Friday

Some of the talking points surrounding the Mount Union football team going into Saturday's opener at Rose-Hulman.

The journey to what the Mount Union Purple Raiders hope leads to another Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl starts Saturday night.

This time the Purple Raiders hope to get back there again and successfully complete it.

Mount Union's 2018 season ended with a 24-16 loss to Mary Hardin-Baylor in the NCAA Division III national championship game. The Crusaders exacted some revenge after a 2017 Stagg Bowl loss to the Purple Raiders and denied them a 14th title.

The disappointment wasn't forgotten when the players reported to camp.

"I like our mindset," head coach Vince Kehres said. "They were a little bit frustrated and on edge during the offseason coming off a loss. They were eager to get back on the field this fall."

As the Purple Raiders get set to face Rose-Hulman in their opener, here is a look at five storylines for the upcoming season.

Healthy Fulford eyes fantastic finish

Senior quarterback D'Angelo Fulford has been one of the nation's highest-rated passers the past two seasons. The All-American and Ohio Athletic Conference Back of the Year completed 62 percent of his passes for 2,837 yards and 37 touchdowns in 2018.

An ankle injury that required offseason surgery limited Fulford's effectiveness in the postseason. He missed one game and threw five of his six interceptions in Mount Union's final three contests.

The good news for the Purple Raiders is that Fulford feels great again.

"The ankle is fine," he said in a text message to GateHouse Ohio Media. "I am able to do whatever I want to do."

Kehres expects Fulford to have another excellent season.

"He has matured a great deal and has developed as a quarterback physically," Kehres said. "... He's one of our nine captains and a young guy we have a great deal of confidence in based on what he can physically do and what he brings to our team in terms of leadership."

Oh, that skill

Fulford has some talented skill around him again.

Reigning OAC Receiver of the Year Justin Hill will be his top target. The All-American caught 55 passes for 927 yards and finished 10th in the nation with 14 touchdown catches last season. He is on the radar of NFL scouts.

Josh Petruccelli will be Mount Union's featured back. Another All-American, Petruccelli finished 10th in the nation in rushing with 1,531 yards and scored 19 touchdowns a year ago.

The protectors

Mount Union's starting offensive line returns intact with Sean Sherman and Brendan Klaus at tackle, Frazier Daniel and Jonny Todd at guard and Joey Presutti at center. In addition to five returning starters, the Purple Raiders have four other linemen who started at one point in their careers. With Fulford, Hill and Petrucelli capable of erupting, that's more bad news for opposing defenses.

"When you talk about the character of a football team and where everything starts, it certainly starts up front," Kehres said. "That offensive line group, we're going to lean heavily on them and their experience."

Sherman and Klaus were All-OAC selections last season.

Dominant defensive front

With the help of a talented front seven, Mount Union's defense held opponents to the second fewest first downs in the nation and just over 259 total yards a game in 2018. Five of the seven starters are back.

The line features All-American end Andrew Roesch, All-OAC tackle Ethan McComb and nose guard Adam Pastor, who has not missed a game in the last two seasons. Roesch led the Purple Raiders in sacks a year ago with 11.

First team All-OAC players Trey Williams and Mitch O'Hara return at linebacker. Williams had a team-best 22.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks last season. O'Hara was Mount Union's leading tackler with 89.

New-look secondary

The Purple Raiders' defensive backfield will be their most inexperienced group. The projected starters are junior Jalen Griffn and sophomore Derrick Bradley at cornerback and juniors Malik Britt and Jon Muehlbauer at safety.

"This group, we'll have patience with as they grow," Kehres said. "It's a young group. It's a group that I think has some talent."

Reach Mike at 330-580-8341 or

mike.popovich@cantonrep.com

On Twitter: @mpopovichREP

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